Book Reviews

Maud is an irascible 88-year-old Swedish woman with no family, no friends, and…no qualms about a little murder. This funny, irreverent story collection by Helene Tursten, author of the Irene Huss investigations, features two-never-before translated stories that will keep you laughing all the way to the retirement home.

Ever since her darling father’s untimely death when she was only eighteen, Maud has lived in the family’s spacious apartment in downtown Gothenburg rent-free, thanks to a minor clause in a hastily negotiated contract. That was how Maud learned that good things can come from tragedy. Now in her late eighties, Maud contents herself with traveling the world and surfing the net from the comfort of her father’s ancient armchair. It’s a solitary existence, but she likes it that way.

Over the course of her adventures—or misadventures—this little bold lady will handle a crisis with a local celebrity who has her eyes on Maud’s apartment, foil the engagement of her long-ago lover, and dispose of some pesky neighbors. But when the local authorities are called to investigate a murder in her apartment complex, will Maud be able to avoid suspicion, or will Detective Inspector Irene Huss see through her charade?

An Elderly Lady is Up to No GoodHelene TurstenMarlaine Delargy (translator)Soho Crime, 2018​Source: Library, Review Copy

I had SO MUCH FUN reading An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good​. There's nothing more fun than watching a sassy senior citizen dole out her version of justice in her apartment building. My favorite part was when she was at the grocery store and got back at a rather bold, unpleasant young man who commented - rather unkindly - on old age. Also, the stories were set up in a logical manner, which I appreciated. Everything was connected, so I learned more about Maud as I read. I liked that each section could be read on its own or like a chapter. Usually, I don't have the patience for collections of short stories, but An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good was done perfectly. I look forward to reading more books by Tursten.